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Monday, July 16, 2018

Potential "Mr. Mankato" Award Candidates- Part Two

Vikings training camp kicks off next week and it's time to start thinking about potential "Mr. Mankato" award winners. Daniel House posts part two of this training camp preview series.

Updated: July 16, 2018, 12:50 p.m.

By: Daniel House

Every year, there's one underrated player who bursts onto the scene and earns the 1500ESPN Mr. Mankato Award. The official odds haven't been released yet, but it doesn't mean we can't start looking at potential candidates. Here is part two of a two-part series analyzing underrated players on the Vikings' roster.

Over the past few seasons, the Vikings have been searching
for a mismatch tight end to stress all three levels of a defense. They spent a
fifth-round pick on Central Michigan product Tyler Conklin in an attempt to add
another element to their offense. A former NAIA basketball player, Conklin
played just two seasons of college football. Last year, he appeared in just five
games after suffering a Jones fracture in his foot. However, a holistic review
of his tape shows he has athletic traits, including excellent leaping ability.
He also ran a wide variety of different routes and can be flexed out to create
favorable matchups. Conklin closed out his collegiate career by tallying 28
catches for 406 yards and five touchdowns. He also grabbed 42 receptions for
560 yards and six touchdowns as a junior.

Perhaps the Vikings could run more two tight end sets with
Conklin and Kyle Rudolph on the field at the same time. Conklin has shown he create
after the catch and block in-line, which also provides more flexibility in
terms of how he can be used. It will be worth seeing how he transitions to the
physicality of playing at the next level, but his body control is a trait that
can be molded around. I recently wrote a piece on the value Conklin could provide.
He is someone who may be heavily
involved during training camp and the preseason as the team evaluates his
performance.

WR- Brandon Zylstra-
CFL- Edmonton

The pride of Spicer, Minn., Brandon Zylstra ripped up the
Canadian Football League (CFL), leading the league in receiving. He posted five touchdowns to go along
with 100 catches and 1,687 receiving yards in Edmonton last year. He starred at
receiver for the Concordia-Moorhead Cobbers, a Division-3 football program in
northern Minnesota. At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Zylstra is a big target with underrated
ability to create after the catch. He can play from the slot or on the outside, offering versatility for offensive coordinator John DeFilippo. Zylstra was behind some of the Eskimos’ most
explosive passing plays of 20-plus yards last season.

He has reportedly been impressive during OTAs and mini-camp
as well, even drawing some praise from offensive coordinator John DeFilippo.

“That guy continues to impress,” DeFilippo said. “We’re very
fortunate he’s on our football team. People are going to have a hard time getting
up in his face and pressing him,” he added. “He has tremendous hands, he’s
smart. He’s one of the guys that can line up anywhere. We could put him at any
position.”

Zylstra has every chance to claim one of the final roster
spots, but he’ll need to show he can contribute on special teams early in his
career.

CB- Holton Hill-
Texas

Cornerback Holton Hill was a top-50 talent, but slid into
undrafted free agency due to reported off-the-field concerns. If the Vikings
can keep Hill focused on football and help him mature, the potential is
extremely high. Players like Xavier Rhdoes and veteran Terence Newman are leaders
who could take Hill under their wings. Hill has versatility because of his
length, athleticism and range. This offseason, I wrote about how his skills could fit within the Vikings’ system. He could play in the box, cover on the
outside, or even kick out to safety. Probably the best aspect of his game is
how he can tackle in space. Hill made numerous physical plays against quick
developing routes or runs.

He will need to continue improving his technique and
footwork at the next level to become less grabby. He also often gets into
passing lanes for breakups, but his ball skills continue to evolve. The ceiling
is extremely high for Hill, especially considering he might be in one of the
best situations to develop his game to another level. He is one player who
could burst onto the scene in training camp/preseason and make a few splash
plays.

QB- Kyle Sloter-
Northern Colorado via Denver Broncos

Quarterback Kyle Sloter was a late addition to the Vikings’
roster following cuts last August. He put together an excellent preseason
campaign, but the Broncos released him with hopes to slide him onto the
practice squad. Denver invested resources into Trevor Siemian and Brock
Osweiler, to go along with Paxton Lynch, a 2016 first round draft pick. It was
hard for the Broncos to justify cutting one of those players in favor of a converted
wide receiver out of Northern Colorado. A year later, the entire quarterback
room has been ripped to shreds.

Sloter performed well in Denver, completing 72 percent of
his passes (31-for-43) for 413 yards and three touchdowns.

I'm curious to see #Vikings QB Kyle Sloter in training camp. Last preseason, he turned heads in Denver with limited experience at QB (converted WR). He's someone that can develop in the shadows w/ JDF-Stefanski. Arm strength, ability to drive the ball, and accurate on the run. pic.twitter.com/2lZ3GdTReo

The Vikings quickly snatched Sloter up and coached him
throughout last season. Sloter has some of the key traits you look for in
developmental quarterbacks. It includes arm strength, an ability to drive the
football and accuracy down the field. He has work to do mechanically, but the
traits are certainly there.

A converted wide receiver from Northern Colorado, Sloter was
still learning the position last year. He was slinging passes almost entirely
off instinct and ability. Since I didn’t have the chance to watch Sloter in
training camp last year, he will be one of the more fascinating players to see
in action. With the arm strength, touch, accuracy and ability to throw on the
run, he has a few of the raw traits necessary to become a quarterback of the
future. Now, it’s all about putting it together and continuing to develop
mechanically. That’s a big if, but Sloter’s development is definitely worth tracking.

During his second season in the league, he could again light up
the preseason with a new team.

RB- Roc Thomas-
Jacksonville State

The third running back spot is up for grabs and the Vikings
have two intriguing candidates who will battle in training camp. Roc Thomas was
one of the top running backs in the state of Alabama in high school. He quickly
contributed at Auburn, starting two games as a freshman. However, a concussion
and elbow injuries caused him to fall down the depth chart during his sophomore
season. Thomas decided to transfer to Jacksonville State in hopes of earning
more playing time.

Last season, Roc earned the starting job and rushed for
1,065 yards and 13 touchdowns on 178 carries.

Say hello to Roc Thomas, #Vikings fans. An athletic player with excellent agility and lower body explosion (tested well in broad and vertical jumps). I think he plays way faster than he tested. Capable in the passing game, too. 3rd down change of pace RB. pic.twitter.com/JRjeLgPhev

There is no doubting the overall
talent and upside associated with Thomas’ skill-set. He runs with excellent
burst and above average agility. When he jump cuts in the second level, he is
very elusive and tough to bring down. Thomas also isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder
and grind out yardage after contact. The main area he needs to improve is his
overall vision. There are several runs where he will try to force himself into
a crease when he has a backside option available. He has intriguing traits to
work with and could provide value in the return game.

RB- Mike Boone- Cincinnati

If you could combine the skill-sets of Mike Boone and Roc
Thomas, you’d have an extremely talented No. 2 running back. However, each of
them provide interesting strengths and different traits that can be developed.
Boone was a name many reporters were discussing during OTAs and mini-camp. I recently noted the similar testing measures
between Boone and former Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon. On tape, you see
a player who runs with balance and keeps his feet moving when facing contact.

Boone creates a plethora of yards after contact, but didn’t
show off all the explosiveness you’d expect. Some of this is attributed to
nagging injuries, including a foot problem during his final season in Cincy. He
still posted more than 650 yards and nine touchdowns in each of his first two
seasons in college. When healthy, he has shown what he can do, especially as a receiver
and pass blocker. Those are strengths which could elevate him over the top in
the race for Minnesota’s No. 3 running back job. The key for Boone will be
proving he can stay healthy and contribute when called upon.

DE- Ade Aruna- Tulane

Sixth-round pick Ade Aruna is the definition of a player
with testing measurables that jump off the charts. He posted a 4.6 in the 40-yard
dash, a 38-inch vertical jump, and a 10'8" broad jump. This is an
impressive accomplishment with a 6-foot-5, 262-pound frame and 34-inch arms.
Aruna has limited experience playing football and came to American from Nigeria
to pursue a basketball career (once played against Andrew Wiggins).

During his senior year, a coach convinced him to give
football a try because of all of his unique physical tools. It was enough to
earn a scholarship to Tulane, where he started 34 games. He posted just 12
career sacks, but added 19 tackles for loss. Aruna was semi-disruptive, but
almost entirely won off shear athleticism and gifted ability. He is the perfect
prospect for defensive line coach Andre Patterson to develop over the next
couple years. With all of the athletic traits, combined with strength and
power, Aruna could take another step if he can tighten up his technique. The Vikings
may need time to elevate his game, but he is one of the prototype pass rushers
the team can invest developmental resources into. During training camp, many eyes
will be on Aruna in 1-on-1 drills as he learns on the fly.